Those willing to take a chance can have a positive impact on world

Apr. 28, 2013

Written by

Adrian Chamberlin

Senior Staff Writer

It isn’t something the average person on the street is likely to say, but the world has more than enough rational people. I understand how crazy I sound for saying this, so allow me to explain.

Using the word “rational” to describe the average college student, let alone the average American or human being, is only as crazy as the definition of the descriptive term. Political scientists use the term “rational” to describe behavior others might call selfish or self-centered. Essentially, the one behavior with two labels that I am referring to is behaving in ways where individuals prioritize their own needs and wants most.

Defined that way, I think it is easier to see what I mean when I say the world has more than enough “rational” people. Why the world has so many self-centered people is arguable, as is how problematic it is to have a planet of “rational” people.

Survival is obviously the top priority of any species on the planet. It is why organisms adapt to excel in their environmental niches, and why humans have built incredibly complex institutions. However, human beings are on a higher plane of existence than the mere struggle to survive. It has not always been that way, but it is now.

That higher plane is evidenced in groups like Mensa, the world’s oldest and largest society for people with high IQs. According to their website, Mensa has over 100,000 members in 100 countries, including a two-year-old Canadian girl who became a member in May 2012. Mensa describes its goals as being to, among other things to “[…] identify and foster human intelligence for the benefit of humanity […].”

The key phrase in that entire last paragraph is “for the benefit of humanity.” Those words show that the society of the world’s highest IQs recognizes the benefit and need of people who perform actions not for themselves, but for the good of our entire species. Unfortunately, American politicians and average human beings across the globe seem to have missed the memo on doing things to help your fellow man or woman.

Rep. Louie Gohmert of Texas recently showcased how selfish and shortsighted humans can be. During an interview with WND Radio, Rep. Gohmert voiced some rather paranoid opinions about the president and his staff.

“This administration has so many Muslim brotherhood that have influence that they are just making the wrong decisions for America,” said Gohmert.

Gohmert’s comments were made during an interview in Texas, which suggests he may simply have been trying to pander to the voters in his district. Whether it is his personal belief or not, the fact of the matter is that his comment served to sharpen the divide between major parties in politics and helped him hold onto his seat in a conservative area.

Gohmert is a tame example compared to many of the historically documented instances of selfishness by one or a few hurting most of the species. Political scientists have noticed this, too, since our own government often reflects this problem.

Congress represents the entire nation, and should work to craft laws that serve to help most of the nation. While that is a goal anyone can agree to, the fact that senators and representatives are elected by small districts in their home states makes them beholden to tiny groups of people whose best interests may not line up with the best interests of the nation.

It is a complicated situation; no matter how much time is spent talking circles around the logic, or lack thereof, of our form of government. While I have pointed out my agreement with Mensa in the need of unselfish behavior, I also stoutly believe in individuality and individual freedoms. Americans are no strangers to making small or large sacrifices for the good of the country. Now it is time we, and the rest of the world, become familiar with working together for what is best for our species, even if it might not be number one on our lists of outcome preferences.